Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen is an automaker based in Germany. Its products typically command a higher price than those of competing models, but the return is a more upscale driving and ownership experience.

In 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to build a small, inexpensive car at the request of Adolph Hitler. His answer -- a beetle-shaped sedan that was called a Volkswagen (German for "people's car") -- debuted two years later. Hitler had a town built near the plant for factory workers; he named it Kraft durch Freude Stadt (derived from the Nazi party's motto, "Joy through Strength"), and soon decided that Porsche's creation should be named the KdF-wagen (short for the "Joy through Strength" car). This upset Porsche, who was not political.

World War II delayed production of the vehicle; the factory suffered extensive damage during combat, and was ultimately taken over by the British Army. The company was renamed Volkswagen, and the town at the factory was renamed Wolfsburg (after Werner von Schulenberg of Wolfsburg, who had been forced to surrender his land for the construction of the town and factory). By the end of the 1940s, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle had begun. The model made its first appearance on U.S. shores in 1949.

The 1950s saw Volkswagen broadening its product range, adding the Bus (Type 2) to its lineup. The Bus, especially, proved quite popular due to its versatility. And the Beetle, which went on to become the best-selling car of all time, quickly showed signs of being an enduring favorite, with more than 1 million models produced at the Wolfsburg factory by 1955. This decade also saw the debut of the Karmann Ghia sports car, which featured a sleek, Italian-designed two-seater body atop a Beetle platform.

Volkswagen's star rose during the 1960s, its success fueled largely by the breakout success of the Beetle. The car benefited from an effective advertising campaign and from an appearance in a popular Disney movie. By the close of the decade, Volkswagen's yearly output of Beetles topped the 1 million mark.

In 1972, with more than 15 million units assembled, the Beetle topped the world production record set by Ford's Model T. Mid-decade saw the launch of a new era of Volkswagens that had front-mounted, water-cooled engines driving the front wheels. The Passat (Dasher in the U.S.) was the first of the new breed and was built using standardized components that could be used interchangeably among other models in the manufacturer's lineup. The Passat was soon joined by the Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.), which met with immediate success. By the end of the decade, the manufacturer's lineup had grown to include the Scirocco sport coupe and the performance-oriented Golf/Rabbit GTI. The Beetle, however, was discontinued for the U.S. market.

The Golf grew in popularity during the '80s, becoming Volkswagen's most popular model. When a second generation of the car was built in 1983, it was crafted in a mostly automated process using robots -- marking the first time robots had been used in vehicle manufacture. By the mid-'80s, the U.S. version traded the Rabbit name for "Golf." The higher-performance Golf GTI helped the manufacturer make waves on the rally circuit. In 1986, Volkswagen Motorsport nabbed the title of Group A World Rally Champions.

Volkswagen saw its sales in the North American market tumble during the early '90s, but by the end of the decade, refocused marketing efforts and an increased emphasis on new products had brought about a turnaround in the company's fortunes. The popular New Beetle helped put the company back on the radar in the United States (though it fared less successfully in European markets). The body style was based on the classic Beetle, and it struck a chord with consumers who still had a place in their hearts for the iconic, cheerful-looking "love bug."

The new millennium saw Volkswagen moving into the luxury segment with the launch of the pricey Phaeton sedan and Touareg SUV. Though well-designed and executed, the Phaeton was a disappointment sales-wise, perhaps signaling unwillingness on the part of consumers to shell out premium dollars for a brand that lacks the cachet of established upscale names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Luckily, Volkswagen has seen success with other vehicles in its lineup, which currently includes everything from family-oriented sedans to roomy SUVs. Today, the automaker enjoys a reputation for crafting vehicles that offer refined handling and upscale accommodations.

User Reviews:

• 

  Fun, Sexy and Sassy - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Daga,Utah - December 6 - 5:10 pm

  My 2004 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible was my dream car, and it still is. Since the day I bought it I didnt have to do anything but oil changes. Nothing is breaking, everything works just like its designed to. The only one thing I could compalin about its the gas mileage.

• 

  great car...Exactly what i wanted - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rodney Hubbard - December 4 - 10:20 pm

  i like volkswagen and currently have a Jetta (2008), its in great condition. really wanted a Passat and searched around for one. a bit more expensive than i initially thought but once i checked it out money was not an issue. great car... i recommend it!

• 

  LOVE THIS CAR - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Benzboy429 - December 4 - 10:00 am

  What can I say I got it today, and I love it

• 

  Satisfied - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mauricio_lorenzetti - December 4 - 10:00 am

  It is a great sport car with right size and powerful engine

• 

  Get one if you still can! - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By ttocsffej - December 3 - 10:16 pm

  Torque is the name of the game and it gets very addictive! Our 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI is our first diesel vehicle, and certainly not the last. Weve owned three other Passats, including the 1.8T (manual and tip) and W8 versions, I can say the TDI / tiptronic combination is by far the best and happiest marriage of fuel economy and power in this vehicle. But the EPA rating of 27/38 is a little misleading. Weve never gotten less than 30 mpg average in town, however, weve yet to get more than 37 mpg in 100% highway driving. 32-34 mpg mixed is average, partly because this baby hums along so quietly at 80 mph / 2,350 rpm! 65 mph yields best mpgs. I have had zero issues / problems at 10K miles! TDI is gone after 2005; get one now if you can find it!

• 

  VW gets another chance! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By burgranger - November 30 - 10:20 pm

  As a former Jetta owner, I was hesitant to enter in the VW world again. I fell in love with this Passat. I almost bought the Acura TL, but for thousands less, I got a bigger interior and better gas mileage. You cannot beat the 4 year warranty, roomy interior, and a car that is a blast to drive! So far so good!

• 

  A great little car - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Chris Plato - November 29 - 4:27 pm

  It has all the upgrades you can get including a rear view camera and anti-stain treated interior. Its peppy at low and high speeds. Im always surprised by how roomy the car is - both front and back. The heated seats are a nice touch even if the car did live almost all of its life in San Diego. The vehicle has California car emissions equipment. I love this car, especially with satellite car radio.

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Toothwarrior - November 29 - 8:13 am

  Absolute fun to drive.Great handling.Enough power for its class.It actually feels safe.I bought it for The Boss(my wife) and she loves it. Its the perfect mall vehicle even in a snowstorm. Ive had Mercedes ML series since 1990,all 8 cylinder vehicles and this little baby is more fun to drive. Dont hesitate get it. Whats a few dollars more.

• 

  Sporty, Classy, Fun, Value! - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By jlgolden - November 28 - 11:36 pm

  In 17 days of ownership, I have put 1300 miles on my new GTI. The powertrain zip, chassis composure, and evidence of excellent engineering are a true pleasure. The fine auditory and tactile sensations serve to complete the package. Excellent visibility, great seats, well-crafted interior, superb ergonomics, and its priced right. This car gets attention, especially from those who "get it". Its like a bargain-priced BMW or Audi all the way. People will not likely cross-shop a GTI against a brutish and bold (but lovely!)Camaro. Totally different animals. And I "get it".

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jfuller539 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is fun to drive and it would rank high with any sports vehicle in its performance. Plus it looks great